UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development: Inter-sessional Panel

Your Excellency, Mr. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Permanent Representative of the Gambia and Interim Chair of this session, 
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to join Ambassador Kah in welcoming you to this Inter-sessional Panel on “Science, Technology and Innovation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”

Innovation has always been — and continues to be — a driving force of economic growth and human progress. This year’s Nobel Prize in Economics, awarded to three scholars for their work on innovation-driven growth, is a powerful reminder of how central innovation is to development.

Across the world, we are witnessing a surge in technological advances — from rapidly evolving electric vehicles and biotechnology to artificial intelligence and quantum computing. These breakthroughs are reshaping the way we live, work, and interact.

Technological innovation brings unprecedented opportunities: higher productivity, better health and well-being, and stronger tools to address the challenges of climate change. Yet, innovation also comes with new risks — concerns about data privacy, ethics, and widening inequalities.
Our shared challenge is to ensure that scientific and technological progress serves all humanity, not just those best equipped to adopt it.

With this Panel’s focus on artificial intelligence, we have the opportunity to reflect more deeply on how AI is transforming the landscape of research and innovation.

AI’s potential to accelerate discovery and experimentation is immense. By rapidly extracting insights from vast datasets, optimizing models, and automating design, AI is already shortening innovation cycles and reshaping R&D processes across sectors.

However, as AI becomes more embedded in research and development, innovation policy must evolve. We must address the challenges this technology poses, such as explainability, transparency, ethics, and accountability.

At the same time, innovation policy should guide the course of AI’s development, ensuring that technological progress advances sustainable and inclusive development. International cooperation is essential to build the capacity of developing countries to develop, adapt, and apply AI in their national STI ecosystems.

This inter-sessional panel offers a platform to explore how policymakers can harness AI to maximize its positive impact — nationally and globally — on science, technology and innovation.

As the United Nations focal point for promoting science, technology and innovation for development, the CSTD has a unique opportunity — and responsibility — to provide a neutral, inclusive space for dialogue and cooperation. Your work helps ensure that science, technology, and innovation truly deliver benefits for all.

The new CSTD mandate on data governance reflects Member States’ confidence in this role. When we met at the annual session in April, the Working Group on Data Governance had just been established under the Global Digital Compact. Since then, the Group has worked diligently to fulfill its mandate. Later today, we will have the opportunity to discuss its progress report. I would like to thank all Member States for your continued support, which enables the Working Group to carry out its important mission effectively.

The inter-sessional panel will also discuss progress on the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) at regional and international levels — in the context of the upcoming WSIS+20 Review at the General Assembly.

This Review is a unique opportunity for the international community to reimagine the future of the information society — one that is people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented.

At your 28th annual session in April, the CSTD held an in-depth discussion on WSIS+20, enriched by broad stakeholder consultations. The outcome of your work has been submitted to the General Assembly’s preparatory process for the Review.
I wish to express my appreciation to governments and stakeholders alike for your active engagement in shaping the future information society.

We are also honoured to hear today from Her Excellency Ms. Suela Janina, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations in New York and Co-Facilitator of the intergovernmental process on the WSIS+20 Review, who will update us on the progress of that important process.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me conclude by reaffirming that UNCTAD remains fully committed to supporting the work of this Commission as its Secretariat. Together, we can ensure that science, technology, and innovation remain a force for good — driving inclusion, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

I look forward to your valuable insights and recommendations

Thank you.